Lynn Moroney

I thought this story was fantastic! The plot was very well thought out, and when I finished reading it, I was so surprised by the ending. For example, the book goes through a typical fairy tale scene and makes the reader think the princess is finally going to get married, but instead the story throws a curve ball and says, “Elinda is once again seen dancing with the prince, although, they never marry. As for Elinda’s wedding veil, it may be seen on any clear night, drifting from one end of the sky to the other. It is called the Milky Way.” By saying this not only gives readers an unpredictable ending, but it allows some cross curricular learning about astronomy, which is a topic everyone likes to learn about. The big message in this story is true love and friendship because even though the Elinda never married, she made many long lasting friendships along the way, and is happier than ever!… (meer)

Taken from the Kalevipoeg - the national folk-epic of Estonia - this tale of the goddess Elinda is a fascinating pourquoi tale explaining the creation of the Milky Way. Beautiful Elinda, whose duty it was to guide the migration of birds, had many celestial suitors. But although the Moon, the Sun, and the North Star all proposed marriage, it was Prince Borealis, Lord of the Northern Lights, who won her heart. When Borealis fails to appear on their wedding day however, Elinda is heart-broken, and begins to weave...

Judged upon narrative alone, I probably would have awarded Elinda Who Danced in the Sky four stars. Lynn Moroney's tale flows well, and it's exciting to see the folklore of this small Baltic nation getting more of the attention it deserves. One wishes there were more such offerings! Unfortunately, I was not as impressed with Veg Reisberg's illustrations, and subtracted a star accordingly. Reviewers elsewhere have noted that his art is not in line with Estonian folk motifs, something I feel ill-equipped to judge. I simply found it unappealing: the colors are garish, and the style a little too cartoonish. It's a shame, because with the right illustrations, this could be a fabulous title!… (meer)

1. Elinda was born from a tiny bird's egg. Word of her beauty and kindness spread, so many suitors came to ask for marriage. She turned them all away but she didn't refuse only The Prince Borealis who was Lord of Northern lights. In spite of proposing marriage, he didn't return again. She kept weeping with her tears filled the river of earth. Then the birds, she cared for as lovely as mother,
carried her up into the sky. At last she could dance with him again in the sky.
I thought this story was romantic enough.
2. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months,
3. 666 words
4. 40 minitues… (meer)